New pilot program will guide 30 BGCSV high school graduates directly into SJCC’s Promise and First-Year Experience programs, tuition-free, starting Fall 2026
SAN JOSE, CA, UNITED STATES, August 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — In collaboration, San José City College (SJCC) and Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley (BGCSV) have launched a new college-pathway partnership designed to help East San José students matriculate directly from high school into college.
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, BGCSV will recruit and refer a cohort of 30 eligible high school graduates from disproportionately impacted East San José neighborhoods, including Overfelt, Mayfair, Santee, and Seven Trees, to enroll full-time at SJCC beginning this fall. The students will participate in SJCC’s career-focused First-Year Experience and Promise programs, which provide tuition-free enrollment for eligible students who commit to full-time, credit-bearing coursework.
“This partnership meets students exactly where they are and opens a direct door to college,” said Dr. Marilyn Flores, President of San José City College. “We are proud to stand alongside Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley in making that promise reality.”
As part of the pilot, SJCC will schedule a career-focused guidance course at a BGCSV site in East San José this Fall, with a second course to follow in Spring 2027. BGCSV will provide classroom space and technology, and will connect students to internships, industry panels, and career-development opportunities through its network of industry partners.
Both organizations will designate liaisons who will meet monthly to coordinate scheduling and track student progress and outcomes throughout the year-long pilot, which runs from August 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
“Supporting youth on their journey to college is essential to our mission,” said Mark Washbush, President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley. “We are grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership with San José City College to bring college courses and services directly to our club members, removing barriers like cost and travel, and ensuring they have access to programs that can lead to a better future.”
Under the partnership, SJCC will support the BGCSV cohort through registration, financial aid, matriculation, orientation, and onboarding, along with academic counseling, educational planning and tutoring referrals. SJCC will also provide funding to BGCSV to help offset the costs of delivering the program, including classroom space and staff coordination.
The pilot is the latest example of SJCC’s Discover Your SPOT enrollment strategy, which emphasizes meeting prospective students in their own communities and removing barriers to enrollment. San José City College and BGCSV officials said they hope early results from the cohort will inform future expansion of the partnership.
About San José City College
San José City College is a comprehensive community college located in the heart of Silicon Valley, serving more than 12,000 students each year. As part of the San José–Evergreen Community College District, SJCC offers associate degrees, career education certificates, and transfer pathways that empower students to discover their Student Pathway to Opportunity and Transfer (SPOT). For more information, visit sjcc.edu.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley
Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley has been at the forefront of youth development in Santa Clara County for more than 80 years, providing innovative and effective afterschool and summer enrichment programs primarily for low income, at-risk Santa Clara County youth ages 4-18+ years. Our mission is to inspire and empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring adults. To learn more about our programs and opportunities, visit www.bgclub.org or join our online community on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook @BGClubSV.
Daniel Garza
San Jose City College
+1 408-288-3163
daniel.garza@sjcc.edu
Visit us on social media:
LinkedIn
Bluesky
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
TikTok
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability
for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this
article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Media gallery
